Chapter 173 : Third Grade Expert Arrives
Chapter 173: Third Grade Expert Arrives
Somewhere in the western part of Jiangzhou City, where the Xiaoshui Sect was stationed.
In a garden, a middle-aged woman was earnestly advising, “Qianqian, that Huang Family is a renowned and reputable Aristocratic Family in Jiangzhou City. The second son of the Huang Family is their direct descendant, exceptionally gifted, and with a future full of promise. He might reach the Third Grade in the future—calling him a talented youth would be no exaggeration. Since he likes you, such a heaven-sent marriage, you mustn’t act foolishly.”
Huo Qianqian lowered her head, quietly listening. After the woman finished speaking, she calmly replied, “Martial Aunt Ye, there’s no need to say more. My mind is made up. I wish to devote my life to martial cultivation and will never marry.”
The middle-aged woman was angered, “You child, why are you so stubborn?”
“Martial Aunt Ye, if there’s nothing else, this disciple will return to practice her sword.”
Huo Qianqian bowed and took her leave.
Although the middle-aged woman was angry, there was nothing she could do.
The Xiaoshui Sect had its own rules. Those who were willing to marry would be helped by the sect to find a suitable husband. Those unwilling could remain in the sect, and the elders would not force them.
However, generally speaking, those unwilling to marry were usually plain-looking female disciples. A disciple as outstanding in appearance as Huo Qianqian refusing marriage was rare.
……
Huo Qianqian left Martial Aunt Ye’s courtyard and headed straight toward her own small courtyard. As she passed through a Moon Gate, she suddenly overheard people gossiping about her.
“Did you hear? The second son of the Huang Family directly proposed marriage to Martial Aunt Ye. He wants to marry Junior Sister Huo. This is already the second proposal she’s received this month.”
“Being pretty has its perks. The Huang Family has a history spanning hundreds of years. Second Young Master Huang is a fine-looking man with outstanding talent…”
“But I heard Junior Sister Huo rejected the proposal.”
“Ah? Why? Even someone like Second Young Master Huang isn’t good enough for her?”
“What do you know? Do you really think marrying into an Aristocratic Family is a good thing? Just look at those Martial Aunts and Senior Sisters who married into such families—have you ever seen smiles on their faces? Junior Sister Huo has caught the eyes of the elders now. Haven’t you noticed how even the always-strict Martial Aunt Ye treats her with special care? If I were her, I wouldn’t marry either.”
Hearing this, Huo Qianqian felt a bit embarrassed and was about to quietly leave when she heard a displeased snort.
“Hmph! She’s just relying on having a Senior Brother ranked sixth on the Azure Cloud Ranking. The elders are only treating her well because of that Chen fellow.”
The voice clearly belonged to Junior Sister Sun, the most recent newcomer to the sect. Ever since visiting the Feng Residence and meeting Chen Ming, she’d looked at Huo Qianqian with increasing disdain.
Another female disciple, who was on good terms with Huo Qianqian, retorted, “So what? Having such a senior brother is something to be envious of.”
Junior Sister Sun raised her voice, “Just wait. That Chen Ming is going to die soon. Let’s see if the elders still care about her then.”
Huo Qianqian, who had already walked a distance, suddenly stopped in her tracks. She quickly turned around and quietly returned to her original position, pricking up her ears.
The earlier female disciple scoffed, “Senior Brother Chen is ranked sixth on the Azure Cloud Ranking. Do you think anyone can just kill him?”
Junior Sister Sun shrilled, “A Third Grade Expert is making a move—he’s dead for sure.”
The courtyard instantly fell into dead silence.
“Junior Sister Sun, stop spouting nonsense. What kind of Third Grade Expert would stoop so low to attack a Fifth Grade Martial Artist?”
“Nonsense? Do you even know who he offended? That Third Young Master of the Qin Family, ranked third on the Azure Cloud Ranking. He’s already declared that Chen Ming must die!”
“Junior Sister Sun, you should be careful with your words. This baseless rumor—don’t spread it everywhere. I don’t think the Qin Family would do something as dishonorable as bullying the weak.”
“Just because the Qin Family won’t, doesn’t mean others won’t.”
“In the end, this is just your speculation. Is such a baseless matter really worth bringing up?”
Junior Sister Sun grew anxious and blurted, “I heard it with my own ears—how could it be fake?”
After saying that, she seemed to realize she’d said too much. No matter how the senior sisters questioned her afterward, she refused to say another word.
……
Huo Qianqian quietly slipped out. This, of course, violated the sect rules. The Xiaoshui Sect was strict with its disciples—leaving required an elder’s escort.
But she couldn’t wait.
Junior Sister Sun’s words had chilled her to the bone.
Although Junior Sister Sun was spoiled, she wasn’t someone who would fabricate stories. She spoke with such certainty—it was likely true.
Huo Qianqian recalled that two days ago, Junior Sister Sun stayed at her aunt’s house.
Her uncle-in-law was a member of the Six Doors Authority and was said to have Fourth Grade strength. His father was even more formidable—a Third Grade Expert, whom she constantly boasted about.
Just now, when she said she heard it with her own ears, it was likely from this Third Grade Expert.
“Three Saints Staff!”
Huo Qianqian recalled the title of this Third Grade Expert, once a saber wielder specializing in capturing fugitives, known for his formidable strength.
Over twenty years ago, he had captured the wife and daughter of the Pirate King who terrorized the Eastern Sea and earned massive Merit Points. With those, he exchanged for a top-tier cultivation method from the Six Doors Authority and successfully broke through to the Third Grade.
All these details, Huo Qianqian had learned from Junior Sister Sun.
By the time she arrived at Feng Siyuan’s home, night had already fallen.
After stating her purpose, she quickly met Feng Siyuan. “Young Master Feng, do you know where Senior Brother Chen is right now? I have something urgent to tell him.”
Feng Siyuan recognized her too. “You’re Huo Chengkun’s granddaughter?”
“That’s me. This is extremely urgent—please, Young Master Feng, do tell me.”
“In that case, I’ll have someone escort you.”
Feng Siyuan knew where Chen Ming was staying—he’d even gone looking for him, only to be refused entry. After two failed visits, he gave up.
“Thank you, Young Master Feng.”
……
Huo Qianqian rode a carriage for nearly an hour and finally arrived at the small courtyard where Chen Ming was currently staying. The alley was narrow—the carriage couldn’t even enter.
After knocking, a fair-skinned, beautiful girl opened the door. She stood gracefully, dressed as a maid.
“Young lady, whom are you looking for?”
“My name is Huo Qianqian. I’m looking for Senior Brother Chen Ming.”
“So it’s Miss Huo. Please come in.” The girl led her inside. “Young Master, Miss Huo is here.”
“Miss Huo?”
Chen Ming stepped out from inside. Upon seeing her, he smiled. “So it’s Junior Sister. Come, have a seat. Why so late?”
"I have something urgent to tell you."
"Have a cup of water first."
Huo Qianqian disregarded the presence of the nearby young girl and said solemnly, "Senior Brother, a Third Grade Expert is going to kill you!"
Chen Ming was stunned. Suddenly, the "Mingfeng Sword" at his side let out a sharp hum.
It was issuing a Warning Signal!
At the same time, a tremendous sense of danger arose in his heart, a bone-chilling cold washing over him.
Without a second thought, he struck out with both hands, sending Huo Qianqian and Qiuxiang flying. His figure then vanished on the spot.
Huo Qianqian and Qiuxiang were hurled over the courtyard wall uncontrollably and landed in the neighboring courtyard.
"Trying to escape?"
Suddenly, both women felt a deafening explosion in their ears, their vision going black as they nearly lost consciousness.
Huo Qianqian bit down hard on the tip of her tongue. The intense pain jolted her back to awareness. Just as she was about to leap onto the wall, she heard a dull thump, as if it struck directly against her heart, making her feel as if she were about to cough up blood.
At the same time, a dazzling sword light lit up the sky.
She looked up and saw a white figure flying toward them, sleeves fluttering, like a celestial maiden descending from the Ninth Heaven.
For a moment, she was dumbfounded.
"Heaven's Path Alliance?"
A hoarse voice rang out, carrying a trace of seriousness.
So it was a disciple of the Heaven's Path Alliance.
Huo Qianqian suddenly understood—no wonder she appeared so transcendent.
The white-clad woman stood with her sword across, blocking the path of a black-clad man, her voice cold, "You cannot kill him."
The black-clad man was burly, standing with hands behind his back. "You cannot stop me."
As he finished speaking, with a bang, he shot forward like a cannonball, soaring past the white-clad woman, chasing after Chen Ming, who had fled to parts unknown.
The white-clad woman also gave chase.
In the blink of an eye, all three had vanished without a trace.
"Will he be alright?"
Huo Qianqian muttered to herself.
But no one replied. She turned her head and saw the young girl lying unconscious on the ground.
At this moment, the sound of footsteps came from behind.
Huo Qianqian turned around to see an old man walking out from the house. She quickly said, "Apologies for intruding on your residence. We’ll leave at once."
She picked up the young girl and was about to leap over the wall and return.
"Her injuries are severe. She must not be jostled."
"Senior, are you a doctor? May I trouble you to examine her injuries?"
"Bring her inside."
……
Elsewhere, one fled while two pursued. In no time, they had exited the city.
Once outside the city, the black-clad man suddenly accelerated. "Boy, you can’t escape!"
He quickly closed the distance.
Earlier, he hadn’t sped up—not because he couldn’t—but because he found the target slippery, and with a disciple of the Heaven's Path Alliance obstructing him, he didn’t want to act within the city and risk massive destruction that might draw in a stronger expert from the Heaven's Path Alliance.
Only after exiting the city did he suddenly accelerate. When he was within ten zhang, he struck out with a punch from a distance.
That brat seemed to have eyes on his back, twisting his body just in time to narrowly evade the blow.
Boom!
The punch blasted through a large tree and, with undiminished force, burrowed into the hillside. The ground trembled.
Its power was astonishing.
Third Grade was the Gang Qi Realm, where all True Qi had transformed into Gang Qi—utterly unstoppable, capable of melting metal and smelting iron. Its power was incredible. Ordinary steel was like paper before the True Gang of a Third Grade Expert—pierced with a touch.
No exaggeration: no matter how many Fourth Grade Martial Artists there were, they could not match a single Third Grade Expert.
From Fourth Grade to Third Grade was a vast chasm.
A Fourth Grade could, at most, be called an expert, while a Third Grade was a true powerhouse—the difference in status was like night and day.
Chen Ming could leap ranks and defeat Fourth Grade Martial Artists, but against a Third Grade, he couldn’t even flee, let alone fight back.
"Seems like... it’s still not enough."
Seeing the black-clad man getting closer and closer, he prepared to add points.
Just then, an unusual aura erupted.
This was—
He was stunned and turned his head to look. He saw the black-clad man also pause briefly, and from the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a white figure rising into the air, clothes fluttering without wind.
"I told you—you—can—not—kill—him!"